Who is Phillip Randoll?

When We Cannot Speak

Phillip — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:41:35 +0000

Today has been a difficult day. I awoke early this morning with a great deal of pain in my lungs, although this is not unfamiliar for me. For many weeks now I have been facing this complication, making it difficult to breathe.

In the frailty of my understanding and absence of my words, I have been meditating on this passage:

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Selah
– Psalm 62:5-8

One Final Puzzle

Phillip — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:15:21 +0000

Hello, America. “Walter” here once again. I’m pleased to announce that I have one final puzzle to share with you this week. Despite his illness, Phillip has insisted that he and I come up with one final puzzle as an entertaining gift for you folks back home; this weekly project has proven to be a great distraction from Phillip’s battles the last few weeks.

A final big puzzle deserves a final big prize; Phillip has been kind enough to award 3 lucky winners with a $50 gift card to Amazon! I have no idea what that is, but Phillip assures me you can get all sorts of cool stuff there (including some fantastic literature – Phillip’s recommendation, of course!).

Time to get the ball rolling… We’re kicking this puzzle off with a different kind of cipher (one which Phillip informs me is named after a Charlie Brown character? I don’t get it). You may have to do some research to get going this time around, but I’m sure you’re used to putting on your thinking cap by now! Good luck!

Step 1:

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WINNER LIST:

Kim Jones
Jason Bradley
Karen Gardner

Some Perspective

Phillip — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:19:50 +0000

Hello America… “Walter” here again. Just a quick post today, as Phillip wants me to share this quick clip from a church back in the States. Such amazing strength was shown in this man’s life.

No matter what happens, God is sovereign, and God is good.

A Quick Update

Phillip — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:30:11 +0000

Hello America… This is “Walter” again. Phillip would like for me to give you a few quick updates on what’s going on over here.

Last Week’s Challenge

You people really went ALL OUT trying to solve my puzzle last week! I know Phillip enjoyed watching so many of you trying to work out the mystery. The winner’s list has been posted on the original puzzle post and all prizes went out this morning; if you’re one of the winners, be sure to check your email address!

Phillip’s Illness

To be completely honest, Phillip has seen better days. I am always amazed by his courage, faith and sense of humor in light of the gravity of his illness; that’s still the case even though he’s been fighting pretty hard over the last few days. We’re all hoping he’ll pull out of this season soon and get a break for a while. Be sure to keep checking the blog and saying Hello on Facebook and Twitter; it’s always an encouragement to him since his iPad is kind of his “lifeline” to the world right now.

Speaking of his iPad, I’m having a hard time prying it from his fingers at the moment… He just discovered the Bible App that allows you to read the Bible in dozens of different translations at once; I haven’t seen him this happy since he clobbered me at Words with Friends for a week straight (not fair, I think, given that English is NOT my first language!).

I’ll keep you posted, America!

- “Walter”

The View from a Life in Sunset

Phillip — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:05:34 +0000

God has been so faithful to me.

That’s the one thought that has continually rolled through my mind as I’ve been confined to my bed the last few days. I just can’t quit thinking about His goodness to me, even when the thought seems contrary to my current struggles. As they say, “this too shall pass,” and a great reward lies before me.

As my lungs have relaxed for a spell today, I want to share a simple passage of scripture with you that has meant much to me in my life. I pray it guides your heart as much as it has guided mine. Psalm 119:33-40:

Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees;
then I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding, and I will keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
How I long for your precepts!
Preserve my life in your righteousness.

Although typing on an iPad is far from an aerobic activity, I’m afraid it’s time to rest again. Until next time…

-Phillip

The Season We’re In

Phillip — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:07:26 +0000

Hello, America… This is “Walter” again, posting for Mr. Phillip. As many of you know, Mr. Phillip has had a difficult time with his illness this week. With that in mind, I thought it would be appropriate to share a recent conversation I recorded between the two of us. I hope it helps you understand the season we’re in.

PS – It brings Mr. Phillip great joy to watch you folks back home having fun with the puzzles we’ve thought up together. Several have solved yesterday’s, but there’s still time to solve it (and prizes to give away!). Mr. Phillip asked me to give you one more hint: To get help with part of the first step, take a slide down the left!

My Latest Challenge

Phillip — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:02:19 +0000

The time has come for another puzzle!

I am going to take over the posting duties for
now since Mr. Phillip isn’t feeling too well.

You can be sure he’ll follow along, though
. Today’s puzzle starts with TWO parts, hidden in
crafty secrets within this post!

Can you solve it? You’ll need to think creatively
/ look at things from a different perspective. Mr.
Phillip even put together part of this that is
really, really clever! You’ll be surprised!

Take your best shot and search for the answers.
Winners (six of them!) will win $25 to Amazon.

One great prize if you ask me! Good luck America!

———————

- “Walter” (we’ll announce the winners all at once on this post)

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WINNER LIST

Jason Bradley
Karen Gardner
Kyle Olund
Jamie Williams
Steve Cook
Chris Conquest

Under the Weather.

Phillip — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:55:29 +0000

Feeling a little puny again today.

Wishing for a caretaker, like the good ol’ days!

…though I much prefer the classic Chicken Noodle to Green Pea Soup. Bleh!

Gladness

Phillip — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 08:36:16 +0000

My heart is still so full from yesterday’s events. I feel a great swelling in my chest. I will choose to say it is of joy rather than of illness. :-)

You made me so happy, God!
I saw your work and I shouted for joy.
How magnificent your work, God!
Psalm 92:4

Welcome to the Family!

Phillip — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 18:05:34 +0000

Hallelujah!

Today is a day of rejoicing. I am elated to share that P & V (a couple I met a few weeks ago) have trusted in the salvation of our Lord. In all my years, I have never grown old of seeing a soul be rescued. …and even better, to see two!

C.S. Lewis once said, “The salvation of a single soul is more important than the production or preservation of all the epics and tragedies in the world.” I could not agree more! No story is so beautiful as the story of grace, given unto us, robing the broken sinner with purity and eternal life. I will say it again: hallelujah!